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September 26, 2013

Head Start, Meals on Wheels Among Programs Bruised by Budget Impasse

Report says uncertainty leaves nonprofits with unpalatable options

The budget impasse in Washington has begun to take a toll on some of the country’s charities, according to a recent report in The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

The Chroniclereported that automatic spending cuts are starting to pinch charities, and this could worsen unless Congress and the White House conclude a deal to reduce the budget deficit.

The cuts charities have faced up to now have been relatively small, but a few organizations have had to sharply reduce services.

The report said Head Start programs turned away tens of thousands of students this summer, and 70% of Meals on Wheels programs have cut the number of meals they serve.

Everyone in the nonprofit sector expects budget disagreements in Washington to drag on. Charities are not alone in their pessimism.

The resulting uncertainty has forced nonprofits into a “wicked no-man’s land,” Tim Delaney, president of the National Council of Nonprofits, told The Chronicle.

Delaney said charities have two unattractive options: make cuts now and start rationing services in the expectation the cuts will be permanent, or continue to provide services and hope Congress comes to its senses.

Nonprofits are coping in various ways, The Chronicle reported. Some that are dependent on government funding are filling gaps by seeking contributions from foundations, corporations and individuals.

An Arizona group that directs needy people to social services lost aid from three big cities earlier this year. The group now plans to ask the Legislature to impose a one-cent surcharge on Arizonans’ telephone bills, which would raise $1.5 million to keep the program in operation statewide.